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Friday, October 6th, 2023
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Dear Friend,
It's been a busy fall and I hope you've been enjoying the nice weather. In this report, I've shared an update about the Co-Responder Program (that I sponsored as a board matter, along with Supervisor Walter Alcorn). The Fairfax County Co-Responder Program is a partnership between the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). It pairs a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained police officer with a CSB Crisis Intervention Specialist to respond to public safety calls that are related to behavioral health issues.
This week, Celebrate Fairfax held their annual Lord and Lady Fairfax Salute and I was proud to recognize Dr. Bryon L. Garner and Ms. Sharron Dreyer as Lord and Lady Fairfax honorees from Franconia District.
This past Sunday, I attended the Out of the Darkness Walk as part of the Board of Supervisors team. Thank you to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for your life saving efforts.
For those of you who have Monday off, please enjoy your long weekend.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office. | |
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Email: Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov
Phone 703-971-6262
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- Lord and Lady - Fairfax Franconia Honorees
- VDOT extends comment period until October 10 for 495 Southside Express Lanes Study
- Franconia- Springfield Bypass CRISI Grant Announcement
- Co-Responder Program Updates
- Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee (CCFAC) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
- Fort Belvoir's Retiree Appreciation Day 10/27
Out and About in Franconia
- Military Families Connect in Franconia
- Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
- 2nd Annual Interfaith Resiliency Conference
- Community Garden Celebration
In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- In the News
- Franconia District Neighborhood College 10/9 deadline
- Venture into Volunteering Fair 10/15
- Things To Do This October in Fairfax County
- Early Voting
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Franconia District Lord and Lady Fairfax Honorees
I was proud to recognize Dr. Bryon L. Garner and Ms. Sharron Dreyer as Lord and Lady Fairfax honorees from Franconia District.
Dr. Bryon L. Garner is a veteran of the US Navy and has lived in Alexandria since 2019. He exemplifies a culture of service having served on the Fairfax County Redistricting Committee in 2021. In 2020, he served on the City of Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS Awareness and since 2022, has served as a board member of Police Civilian Review Panel.
Ms. Sharron Dreyer moved to Springfield in 1972 and has resided in Greenspring since 2011. She has served on both the Virginia Housing Study Commission and the Fairfax County Community-wide Housing Strategic Plan Task Force. Ms. Dreyer has served as the Franconia District representative on the Commission on Aging since 2014. She also is the co-leader of the Greenspring Pottery workshop and an advocate for recognition of visual arts.
Congratulations and thank you both for your contributions and service to our community.
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Franconia Springfield Bypass CRISI Grant Announcement
Last week, I joined the announcement of the $100 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the Federal Rail Administration for the Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project. This grant is in part thanks to the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which expanded CRISI by four times in order to support rail projects in our country. Thank you to Virginia Railway Express, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, CSX, Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, and Delegate Mark Sickles for being there to help announce this exciting development.
The Franconia-Springfield Bypass will expand passenger rail capacity and reduce conflicts between passenger trains and freight trains just south of Franconia-Springfield station. This project will take cars off our local roads and reduce congestion across the region which will greatly benefit those who live in Fairfax County. I look forward to working with the impacted communities to bring this vital project to fruition. Together we will transform rail – and transportation – in Virginia, starting right here in Franconia District.
Learn more here.
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VDOT extends comment period until October 10 for 495 Southside Express Lanes Study
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is still accepting input on preliminary alternative concepts presented at public information meetings held in September 2023, as part of the I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study (495 Southside Study). Public comments and input will help inform the range of alternatives that VDOT will carry forward in the study. The previously scheduled comment deadline of Oct. 2 has been extended to Oct. 10. Comments now will be accepted until end-of-day, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023.
Comment Period Extended for 495 Southside Express Lanes Study (constantcontact.com)
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Co-Responder Program Updates
As of August 31, Fairfax County Police Department and Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board have co-responded to:
- Over 1500 calls for service from individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis
- 50% of the calls were resolved in the field
- 27% resulted in a diversion from arrest and/or hospitalization.
The Fairfax County Co-Responder Program is a partnership between the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB). It pairs a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained police officer with a CSB Crisis Intervention Specialist to respond to public safety calls that are related to behavioral health issues.
The Co-Responder Program aims to increase timely onsite assessment, de-escalate behavioral health crises, divert individuals from arrest, incarceration, and hospitalization, and link individuals to behavioral health services.
Learn more about the co-responder program here.
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Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee (CCFAC) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Room 9/10
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA
The public is also welcome to join virtually: https://bit.ly/CCFACOct2023PublicHearing
The Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Advisory Committee (CCFAC) is interested in hearing from ALL residents, including those who need, or are receiving, affordable housing or other human services assistance; and from local community and faith-based organizations, and private enterprises that provide direct services to or advocate for County residents.
This public hearing is held to receive comment and input on the County’s:
• performance on the One-Year Action Plan for FY 2023; and
• housing and community development needs to be addressed in the One-Year Action Plan for FY 2025
To Present at the Public Hearing in Person or Virtually: Contact Malia Stroble, by email DHCDGrants@fairfaxcounty.gov or phone at (703) 246-5170, TTY 711, to be placed on the Public Hearing Presentation List.
To Submit Written Comments: Submit by email (DHCDGrants@fairfaxcounty.gov) or mail (ATTN: CCFAC, c/o Fairfax County HCD, 3700 Pender Drive, Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22030).
ALL PRESENTATIONS/WRITTEN COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 4 P.M. ON OCTOBER 10.
The Board of Supervisors is expected to approve the final One-Year Action Plan for FY 2025 in May 2024, to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the reporting requirements for HUD-funded programs. To learn more about the County’s Consolidated Plans at: https://bit.ly/FFXConPlan, or contact Laura.Lazo@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-246-5166, TTY 711.
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Fort Belvoir Retiree Appreciation Day
Are you a military retiree? You're invited to Fort Belvoir's Annual Retiree Appreciation Day Friday, October 27th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m at Wells Field House, Building 1810, 2104 Goethals Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA. Veteran Services, Tricare, DFAS, MDV, AARP, AUSA, GEHA, Blue Cross/Blue Shield & more will be present as subject matter experts. There will also be a health fair with flu shots and lite refreshments and a bagged lunch will be provided. the event continues at 2 p.m. at the Fort Belvoir Exchange for a cake cutting.
POC: RSO 703-806-4551
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While plenty of work remains, Lusk says he doesn’t want that to overshadow the changes that FCPD has made, including mandating ICAT training that emphasizes de-escalation for all officers, diversifying its leadership and introducing the still-growing co-responder initiative for behavioral health and substance use-related calls.
“So I’m just excited to see the changes, but I’m also committed to making sure we continue to work on the other reform issues that are a part of these different working groups and to get answers to all of them,” Lusk said.
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Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest
This past Friday, I was honored to attend and jointly present a proclamation from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to Colonel Messina, Fort Belvoir Garrison Commander, for their 25th Annual Oktoberfest and celebration of the partnership between the US Military and Germany Military Forces.
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2nd Annual Interfaith Resiliency Conference
Thank you to Faith Community In Action (FCIA) for asking me to speak at the 2nd annual Interfaith Resiliency Conference. Fairfax County is so fortunate is to have a robust, committed Faith Community who helps us to prepare, plan, respond, and collaborate on so many issues including our emergency preparedness.
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Community Garden Celebration
We held a Community Garden Celebration last week to celebrate our fall planting of cucumbers, lettuce, cilantro and more! The kids enjoyed painting pumpkins and other fall crafts. The garden has become a well-needed focal point for the community – Fridays are produce pick-up days for garden members and we recently had a salsa making class with vegetables grown in the garden.
Thank you to our partner, Arcadia Farms, thank you Frontier Landscaping and FMD for their work on the renovation of the garden; and thank you to United Community and Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services for participating in this event.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (ICYMI) | |
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Franconia District Neighborhood College
Fairfax County’s Neighborhood College is a FREE six-session certificate program open to Franconia District residents.
Sessions will feature guest speakers, interactive activities, breakout room discussions, networking opportunities and information about advisory boards and other volunteer opportunities.
Highlights will include information about:
Classes will be held virtually on consecutive Thursday evenings. (November 9th and 16th) will be in person at Bush Hill Elementary School.
Oct. 12 - Nov. 16, 2023 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Apply online at: https://bit.ly/FranconiaNC
Applications must be submitted by Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
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Venture into Volunteering Fair
"The Beacon 50+ Expos" is proud to partner with the Fairfax County "Ventures into Volunteering" fair, an annual event showcasing multiple government agencies and nonprofits that offer exciting volunteer opportunities and promote an engaged lifestyle. This event will take place at Springfield Towne Center on October 15, 2023 from 12-4 pm. Click here for more info..
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Things To Do This October in Fairfax County!
October is one of the most fun-filled months in Fairfax County, filled to the brim with special events, month-long celebrations, spooky Halloween activities, and absolutely stunning fall foliage drive tours and viewpoints. We don’t blame you if your calendar fills up quicker than a seven-year-old can fill his trick-or-treat bag!
Northern Virginia has a ton of fun to offer. Here’s a guide to some of the best events, festivals, and activities happening in Fairfax County this October.
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Early voting is happening now for the Nov. 7 general election.
Local and state offices are on the ballot:
- Board of Supervisors (Chairman and all districts)
- School Board (At Large and all districts)
- Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Sheriff
- Virginia House of Delegates and Senate (All districts)
- Clerk of the Court
- Towns of Clifton and Vienna (Mayor and Town Council)
- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
There is also a $435 million public school bond on the ballot. If approved, the public schools’ plans include using this money to plan and design, renovate and build schools.
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
Three locations are open for early voting on weekdays starting Sept. 22:
Before going to vote, please double check the hours early voting sites are open because times vary by location.
Any registered voter can cast their ballot at any early voting site. The last day to vote early is Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m.
Early Voting Begins Sept. 22 for the Nov. 7 General Election | News Center (fairfaxcounty.gov)
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Thank you for the opportunity to serve. | |
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Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
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